Benton City opens doors to marijuana businesses

Benton City has become the second city in Benton County to authorize marijuana sales and processing, joining Prosser.

On a 3-2 vote, the city council this week passed an ordinance that allows for marijuana retail businesses, as well as processing. Pot production is already allowed in Benton City.

Four years ago, Washington voters approved Initiative 502 legalizing recreational use of marijuana, although a majority of Benton County voters opposed it at the time. The result is that the legality of production, processing and retail sales varies by jurisdiction in the Mid-Columbia and statewide.

The council called for the nonbinding vote after a heated council meeting in April. The election cost the city an estimated $22,000.

In April, Benton City residents were divided over legalization. At a heated city council session, opponents called it the wrong move while supporters called it a smart business decision that will help the community and generate new tax revenue.

Currently, the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board has licensed five pot producers in Benton City.

State Rep. Brad Klippert, R-Kennewick, who is a Benton County Sheriff’s deputy and serves as a school resource officer at Kiona-Benton City High School, said Thursday that he’s disappointed.

I’m heartbroken that this is going to happen.

Rep. Brad Klippert

“I’m heartbroken that this is going to happen,” he said.

Speaking for himself and not the sheriff’s department, Klippert said he’s investigated marijuana on campus numerous times. In one instance, a well-regarded student confessed to dealing marijuana she’d stolen from her father.

As a lawmaker, Klippert said he would support recriminalizing marijuana.